US Dismisses Reports on Halting of Airstrikes on ISIL Positions in Iraq

Washington refuted recent media reports on alleged halting of airstrikes by the US-led international coalition on the positions of the Islamic State in Iraq, the country’s Embassy in Baghdad said in a statement on Sunday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Earlier, Arabic-language media reported that Washington had retaliated by suspending its air support of the Iraqi army to the establishment of an information center in Baghdad to coordinate efforts of Russia, Syria, Iran and Iraq in the fight against ISIL.

“Recent news reports alleging that the US-led coalition has halted air operations or military cooperation with Iraqi Security Forces are simply untrue,” the statement reads.

The embassy added that “there has been no halt to Coalition airstrikes against Da’esh [Arabic for ISIL] or cessation of US advise and assist efforts in Anbar province.”

“The US-led coalition remains committed to working with its Iraqi partners in operations to degrade and destroy Da’esh in Anbar province and throughout Iraq,” the US embassy in Iraq stressed.

On Friday, an Iraqi defense ministry spokesman said the country could request military assistance from Russia in the fight against ISIL militants.